Department for Business and Trade

Driver And Vehicle Licensing Agency: Post Office

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the National Federation of SubPostmasters concerning the removal of DVLA services from Post Offices.

The Earl of Minto: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) meets with the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) regularly, both at official and at ministerial level. The NFSP have raised their concerns at the potential future removal of DVLA services from Post Office branches at these meetings, and officials have ensured these concerns are highlighted at Ministerial level and with Post Office Limited. The contract negotiations themselves represent a commercial matter between DVLA and Post Office.

Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act 2023

Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to bring forwardsecondary legislation under the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act 2023.

The Earl of Minto: The Government is pleased the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act received Royal Assent on 24th May 2023. The Act requires secondary legislation which is subject to the affirmative process. Those regulations will be laid in due course.

Royal Mail: Standards

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the performance of Royal Mail, and its failure to deliver mail in some areas.

The Earl of Minto: It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail's service standards and decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification. Ofcom is currently undertaking an investigation into Royal Mail's failure to meet its quality of service performance targets for 2022-23.

Companies: Billing

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what stepsthey are taking to introduce additional legislative measures to encourage large companies to pay their small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) suppliers promptly.

The Earl of Minto: We are currently undertaking a Payment and Cash Flow review, examining how Government and others can continue to improve payment culture in the UK and ensure we are supporting small businesses effectively on late payments. The review included a public consultation of the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017 and the Limited Liability Partnerships (Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations). Responses to the review and publication will be published later this year.

Post Offices

Lord Framlingham: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote awareness of the value of post offices.

The Earl of Minto: Government is clear that the Post Office should be a valuable social and economic asset for communities and businesses for years to come. The Post Office delivers essential services that are hugely valuable, to both individuals and SME businesses, across the UK. The Minister for Postal Affairs continues to champion the Post Office across Government and to external stakeholders where appropriate, however, Post Office Limited is a commercial business and it is right for the company to lead on promoting post offices and raising awareness of the value they deliver.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Artificial Intelligence

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask His Majesty's Government howmany automated decision-making systems are currently in use by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, even partially, to make decisions that affect people’s legal rights or entitlements; and how many of those systems have publicly available equality impact assessments or data protection impact assessments or both.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to Question UIN 194013  on 18 July 2023.PQ 194013 (pdf, 87.9KB)

Social Rented Housing: Rents

Baroness Thornhill: To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to a long-term settlement for social housing rent.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Government continues to support the principle that social housing rents should be index-linked over the long-term, to support investment in both new and existing social homes.We also intend to consult this year on social housing rent policy from April 2025.

Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme

Baroness Thornhill: To ask His Majesty's Government whatconsideration they have given to the extension of the public guarantee scheme for the social housing sector.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Department keeps its housing guarantee schemes, including the £3 billion Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme 2020, under review to ensure they continue to support the housing market. When these schemes, which are demand-led, approach their maximum deployment, we will consider their extension.

Private Rented Housing: Pets

Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the proposed amendments to the Tenant Fees Act 2019 by the Renters (Reform) Bill to include pet insurance as a permitted payment by landlords, what discussions they have had with insurance providers to ensure those charges are affordable.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the proposed amendments to the Tenant Fees Act 2019 by the Renters (Reform) Bill to include pet insurance as a permitted payment by landlords, what support will be provided to pet-owning tenants (1) on low incomes, or (2) who receive benefits, to make those payments.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Officials in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have engaged with a range of stakeholders, including insurance providers, whilst developing the legislation introduced in the Renters (Reform) Bill.Insurance policies vary in their terms, conditions and charges, and the Government would encourage landlords and tenants to agree on a policy covering pet damage that suits both their needs. It will ultimately be a personal choice for tenants whether they wish to keep a pet and therefore whether they are willing to pay for insurance as a part of their agreement with their landlord.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Diplomatic Relations

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley: To ask His Majesty's Government howmany countries in the world the UK has a diplomatic representative present in.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has a diplomatic representative present in 160 countries recognised by the UK Government. This number periodically changes for political and operational reasons. It excludes countries in which we have closed or temporarily suspended a Post in country, which operates elsewhere. The UK also has a representative present in 15 territories, which includes 12 UK Overseas Territories.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) publishes a full list of locations in which the UK has a diplomatic presence on GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-foreign-office-posts). This list is regularly updated.

Nathan Law

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Hong Kong police raid on the family of the UK-based Hong Kong activist, Nathan Law, on 11 June; and what, if any, representations they have made to the government of Hong Kong regarding this incident.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: As I [Lord Ahmad] said to the House on 13 July, the Hong Kong authorities' targeting of family members and alleged associates who remain in Hong Kong in an attempt to intimidate and silence individuals living in the UK is unacceptable. Any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated. At the instruction of the Foreign Secretary, his senior official conducted a formal diplomatic démarche of the Chinese Ambassador on 13 July. The démarche set out our objections to actions in Hong Kong in recent weeks, including the issuing of arrest warrants and bounties for eight individuals living overseas, three of whom live in the UK, and the detention and questioning of the family members of some of those individuals in Hong Kong. The démarche also set out our ongoing opposition to the imposition of the National Security Law by Beijing on Hong Kong, which is a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Department of Health and Social Care

Department of Health and Social Care: Artificial Intelligence

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask His Majesty's Government howmany automated decision-making systems are currently in use by the Department of Health and Social Care, even partially, to make decisions that affect people’s legal rights or entitlements; and how many of those systems have publicly available equality impact assessments or data protection impact assessments or both.

Lord Markham: The Department does not use automated decision-making in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Gender Plus

Lord Jackson of Peterborough: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Care Quality Commission regarding reports about its inquiry into the activities of the Gender Plus organisation, given the interim findings of the Cass Review and the use of puberty blockers and hormones for children and young people with gender identity issues.

Lord Markham: The Department has regular discussions with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) about a variety of topics, including but not limited to issues regarding gender identity services.As an independent regulator, it is for the CQC to determine whether a private organisation is carrying out a regulated activity and whether any investigation is warranted. It is a legal requirement to register with the CQC if a provider is carrying out regulated activities, and the CQC has the power to investigate whether providers are doing this.

The Senior Deputy Speaker

Parliamentary Estate: Lighting

Lord Inglewood: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans there are, if any, for the traditional gas lamps on the Parliamentary Estate.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: There are gas or combined gas and electricity lamps in New Palace Yard, Peers Car Park and Old Palace Yard and Black Rod’s Garden. Those in New Palace Yard have been degassed ready for conversion to electricity, with planning consent granted in 2019. The lamp columns and globes will remain unchanged after conversion and engagement continues with Westminster City Council and Historic England to ensure the new LED lights are comparable in appearance to the original gas. There are no immediate plans to convert other lamps to electricity, but all are due to be converted in the near future in tandem with other works impacting on gas supply pipes and in line with work to make Parliament more environmentally sustainable.

Home Office

Fentanyl

Baroness Mobarik: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Scottish Government to ensure that policies on fentanyl are aligned across the UK.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: We have ongoing discussions with the Scottish Government on drug policy issues, including in relation to drugs such as fentanyl, to understand current threats and the opportunities for collaboration. In addition, the UK Drugs Ministerial is the forum for discussions at ministerial level between His Majesty’s Government and the devolved administrations. The next UK Drugs Ministerial is planned for the Autumn.While fentanyl is controlled as a Class A drug across the UK through the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Scottish Government is responsible for policies addressing drug use and drug harms in areas that are devolved, including healthcare and criminal justice.

Police: Human Rights

Lord Moylan: To ask His Majesty's Government whatplans they have to ensure guidance developed by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs Council on buffer zones will protect the internationally recognised human rights of freedom of (1) conscience, (2) speech, (3) religion, and (4) assembly.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: Ahead of the commencement of section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023, the College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service are updating relevant public order guidance and training to reflect the inclusion of the offence of interference with access to or provision of abortion services.In accordance with human rights obligations, the College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service are required to consider the rights provided under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), including the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which is an absolute right under Article 9 of the ECHR, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and directly linked to freedom of opinion in Article 10 of the ECHR. As an absolute right, there can be no legitimate justification on the part of the public authority to limit, interfere or otherwise penalise persons for their exercise of the right to freedom of thought. However, freedom to manifest religion or belief is qualified. It shall be subject only to such limitation as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interest of public safety, for the protection of the public order, health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.Public bodies must also consider Article 10 (freedom of expression) and Article 11 (freedom of assembly and association) of the ECHR, recognising these are qualified rights, which can sometimes be infringed upon to uphold other rights.

Fentanyl

Baroness Mobarik: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps theyare taking to address the illicit (1) importation, and (2) distribution, of fentanyl.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The UK Government published its 10-year drug strategy ‘From Harm to Hope’ in 2021. Within this strategy we commit to disrupting all parts of drug supply chains from production and trafficking, to disrupting the retail market and attacking the profits of organised criminal activity. The Government and partner agencies are highly alert to the risk from fentanyl.Fentanyl is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as a Class A drug and two fentanyl precursors, ANPP and NPP, are also controlled in the UK.Working with law enforcement partners, we are monitoring the supply of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs into the UK and act decisively when they are discovered. Operationally, the NCA works closely with the Home Office, National Policing, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), and Border Force, to review the threat and ensure a rapid response to any escalation.At the UK border, Border Force prioritises intelligence-based activity to detect all Class A drugs (including fentanyl), and works closely with the NCA to investigate and shut down distribution networks when they are identified. The NCA proactively monitors dark web sales, and has acted effectively to take down markets and vendors. Additionally, the NCA and Home Office work closely with international partners to identify, disrupt and share intelligence on the trafficking of synthetic opioids.

Retail Trade: Artificial Intelligence

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to encourage the adoption of systems based on artificial intelligence to (1) enhance security, and (2) reduce shoplifting incidents, in retail settings across the UK.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: Shops are at the heart of our communities and neighbourhoods, and it is important that businesses are free to trade without fear of crime or disorder.Innovative technologies have huge potential to cut crime and reduce the cost of crime to businesses, as well as making workplaces and communities safer. I am keen to support increased adoption of new technologies to prevent crime including shoplifting, but recognise this must be done in a lawful and proportionate way with due consideration given to privacy.Police recorded offences in England and Wales (excluding Devon and Cornwall) for shoplifting and all theft offences for year ending December 2022 are showing a fall of 12% and 13% respectively compared with the pre-pandemic period of March 2020.Crime in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Asylum: Hong Kong

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government, given the recent arrest warrants and bounties for exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, what plans they have to expedite the asylum applications of former Hong Kong elected district councillors.

Lord Murray of Blidworth: The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it. All asylum claims are considered on a case-by-case basis in line with published policy including those raised by Hong Kong nationals.

British National (Overseas): Hong Kong

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed increase in visa and immigration health surcharge fees on Hong Kong families seeking British National (Overseas) visas; what are the current fees; and what further plans they have to change those arrangements.

Lord Murray of Blidworth: The Home Office is increasing application fees across a range of immigration and nationality routes, including for people coming to live, work and study in the UK. Increasing application fees, together with the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), in this way could raise more than £1 billion, helping to fund vital services and allowing wider funding to be prioritised for public sector pay awards.We will lay regulations in the Autumn to amend the immigration and nationality fee and IHS levels and set out which immigration routes are impacted.The current application fees for the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route are set out here:UK visa fees - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)The current levels of IHS are set out here:Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: How much you have to pay - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)UK Visa Fees  (pdf, 587.4KB)

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Livestock Worrying

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to take forward in the current parliamentary session the provisions of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill on livestock worrying.

Lord Benyon: The Government takes the issue of livestock worrying very seriously, recognising the distress this can cause farmers and animals, as well as the financial implications. We will be taking forward measures from the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill individually through other means during the remainder of this Parliament.

Northern Ireland Office

Electronic Travel Authorisations: Northern Ireland

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely impact of the introduction of Electronic Travel Authorisations under the Nationality and Borders Act 2021 on tourism in Northern Ireland.

Lord Caine: As is the case now, under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, the UK will not operate immigration controls on the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border. All those travelling to the UK will need to continue to meet UK immigration requirements, which will include obtaining an ETA if they are required to do so. The Government remains committed to working with a wide range of relevant bodies to ensure the ETA scheme is understood and to mitigate any risks that it is, or is perceived to be, an increased barrier to tourism in Northern Ireland.

Department for Education

Academies: Complaints

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Department for Education records the academic proprietor in respect of complaints they receive about (1) academy schools, and (2) multi-academy trusts; and whether they will publish a table of the number of complaints received in respect of each trust in each of the past five years.

Baroness Barran: The department does not intend to publish a table of the information requested. The department’s remit is to consider whether the academy school or multi-academy trust has a complaints procedure that is compliant with Part 7 of the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, and that they have allowed their own complaints procedure to be completed, when handling complaints received. The department does not consider the subject of the complaint, as academies are autonomous bodies and they are responsible for handling complaints raised against them.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Drax Power Station

Lord Birt: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 18 July (HL9062), what was the factual basis behind his answer on 3 July (HL Deb col 984) that the BBC Panorama programme on Drax "provided an inaccurate representation of practices by the forestry and biomass sector".

Lord Callanan: Officials engaged extensively with the Government of British Columbia and Canadian forestry experts. They reviewed information from these sources and elsewhere about timber sales operations, timber harvests, forest stewardship, and the harvest system in place in British Columbia to assess the relevance of the claims.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Horizon Europe and Pioneer

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on negotiations to re-join the EU Horizon programme, including agreement on the UK’s financial contribution; and whether the Horizon programme or the UK-based Pioneer programme is their preferred choice to fulfil their goal of the UK as science superpower.

Viscount Camrose: The Government is moving forward with discussions on the UK’s involvement in Horizon Europe and hope these will be successful. That is the UK’s preference. While the Government hopes negotiations will be successful, participation must work for UK researchers, businesses and taxpayers. Talks are ongoing and therefore a deal has not yet been agreed. A deadline for these talks has not been set but to provide the industry with certainty, the UK must come to a resolution as quickly as possible. The Government has set out Pioneer, the UK’s bold alternative, which we are ready to implement if association cannot be secured.